Charles Barkley Says ‘Probably Zero Chance’ He Stays For Full TNT Contract

Charles Barkley is a man who will soon have even more money for entertaining NBA fans everywhere.

That became evident earlier this week, when it was revealed that Barkley and the rest of TNT’s Inside the NBA studio crew received lengthy extensions. Barkley’s was for 10 more years at the end of his current deal.

That means he’ll be about 70 years old when his contract is up — and perhaps not surprisingly, he doesn’t intend to keep talking hoops on television for quite that long.

“TNT asked me like ‘We need something from you. Would you give us something?’ and I said, ‘What do you want?’ They’re like, ‘We need you to stay longer. We can’t lose you and bid on the NBA,’” Barkley said on the Dan Patrick Show.

“They asked me if I would sign for a couple more years and I said, ‘you guys have been great to me, I’ll stay a couple more years.’ There’s probably zero chance I’m gonna stay for the entire ten years.”

Barkley, 59, once said he had hoped to not be working as an NBA studio analyst beyond the age of 60. Clearly, he will be doing exactly that. 

How much beyond that? Well, despite the new extension, it sounds as if it won’t be for forever.

“I’m not worried about money at this stage of my life,” Barkley said. “Listen, if I don’t have enough money by now, I’m a big idiot. I played 16 years in the NBA and this is my 22^nd year on Turner. If I don’t have enough money by now, I’m just an idiot.”

Host Ernie Johnson and analysts Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal also received extensions, as we relayed right here.

“News of the new contracts should put an end to rumors that the show’s biggest star, Barkley, could be moving to another outlet,” wrote John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. “In recent months, Barkley had considered moving to LIV Golf or retiring from his television role. Barkley will be nearing 70 years of age when this deal wraps.”